Module Descriptors
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PROJECT
FORE70224
Key Facts
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences
Level 7
60 credits
Contact
Leader: John Cassella
Email: J.P.Cassella@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 20
Independent Study Hours: 580
Total Learning Hours: 600
Assessment
- LABORATORY LOG BOOK weighted at 20%
- LITERATURE SURVEY weighted at 20%
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 50%
- PROJECT PROPOSAL weighted at 10%
Module Details
Module Special Admissions Requirements
To have satisfactorily studied at PgD level
Module Additional Assessment Details
A Project Proposal weighted at 10% (learning outcomes 1 and 2)
A Lab Log Book and interviews (3 x ~20 mins) with supervisor, weighted at 20% (learning outcomes 3 and 5)
A Literature Survey (6000 words maximum) weighted at 20% (learning outcome 1)
A Draft Manuscript of a paper for publication (8000 words maximum) weighted at 50% (learning outcomes 1, 3, 4 & 5). This must attain a minimum of a grade point 7 in order for the module to be passed.
A Lab Log Book and interviews (3 x ~20 mins) with supervisor, weighted at 20% (learning outcomes 3 and 5)
A Literature Survey (6000 words maximum) weighted at 20% (learning outcome 1)
A Draft Manuscript of a paper for publication (8000 words maximum) weighted at 50% (learning outcomes 1, 3, 4 & 5). This must attain a minimum of a grade point 7 in order for the module to be passed.
Module Indicative Content
The content of this module reflects the importance attached to this module which is equivalent to 60 credits at level 7. The study will be carried out independently and will demand dedication, initiative and originality. You will carry out a substantial laboratory or field exercise to gather results pertinent to an agreed topic within the overall discipline of forensic science. The results will need to be evaluated, appraised, and discussed and conclusions derived. In preparation for the study you will need to carry out an extensive literature search. The literature search and draft manuscript contribute 70% of the marks for the module.
Module Learning Strategies
During the block preceding the start of your project in consultation with tutors, you will determine an area of study. You will present to your supervisor a project planning assignment containing:
- a statement of the aims and objectives of the project;
- an outline of the experimental method that is planned;
- a formal consideration of the ethics and health and safety issues associated with the project (practical work must not start until full ethics and health and safety clearances have been given by the University);
- a short description of the methods to be used to analyse the data that will be generated by the experimental work;
- a list of journal references annotated to show the relevance of each reference to the project;
- a completed collaborative work form (only required from students who plan to complete their project's experimental work using the facilities of any organisation other than Staffordshire University).
Providing that you have made satisfactory progress on your diploma stage and your project planning assignment is deemed satisfactory, you will then carry out your project study. Throughout you experimental study, you will maintain a logbook of your work and meet regularly with your supervisor to discuss progress. If a work-based project has been approved, you will meet a delegated person at regular interviews and arrange to appraise your supervisor at the University of progress by agreed means (e-mail, chat room, telephone). You can expect to have 20 hours contact time with your tutor. This will cover all aspects of the project work including advice on writing the final report.
- a statement of the aims and objectives of the project;
- an outline of the experimental method that is planned;
- a formal consideration of the ethics and health and safety issues associated with the project (practical work must not start until full ethics and health and safety clearances have been given by the University);
- a short description of the methods to be used to analyse the data that will be generated by the experimental work;
- a list of journal references annotated to show the relevance of each reference to the project;
- a completed collaborative work form (only required from students who plan to complete their project's experimental work using the facilities of any organisation other than Staffordshire University).
Providing that you have made satisfactory progress on your diploma stage and your project planning assignment is deemed satisfactory, you will then carry out your project study. Throughout you experimental study, you will maintain a logbook of your work and meet regularly with your supervisor to discuss progress. If a work-based project has been approved, you will meet a delegated person at regular interviews and arrange to appraise your supervisor at the University of progress by agreed means (e-mail, chat room, telephone). You can expect to have 20 hours contact time with your tutor. This will cover all aspects of the project work including advice on writing the final report.
Module Texts
Pugh and Phillips, How to get a PhD; a handbook for students and their supervisors. Open University Press 2010
Instructions to authors for journals such as Science and Justice, Forensic Science International and Journal of Forensic Science.
Instructions to authors for journals such as Science and Justice, Forensic Science International and Journal of Forensic Science.
Module Resources
Suitable computer capable of accessing both the WWW and the University Server, and of running Blackboard. Library facilities as necessary. Access to laboratory and equipment facilities suitable for carrying out the experimental programme.